Harley Benton TE-62LA MN LPB

Harley Benton TE-62LA MN LPB review

The TE-62LA MN LPB is a Tele-style electric guitar with a light-aged Lake Placid Blue finish and a maple neck and fingerboard. Its listed price is $235. On paper, the specification is appealing for a budget instrument: a selected American alder body, two Alnico 5 single-coil pickups, a brass-saddled bridge, and 21 medium-jumbo frets. Buyer reports suggest that the playing feel and bridge pickup can exceed expectations, while the aged finish and quality control deserve closer scrutiny.

This is a fixed-bridge guitar with a 648 mm scale, a 42 mm graphite nut, and a three-way pickup switch. The neck is lightly caramelized Canadian maple, bolted to the body, with dot inlays and a C-shaped profile. Its stated thickness is 20.5 mm at the first fret and 22.5 mm at the twelfth. A double-action truss rod and 305 mm fingerboard radius complete a familiar, practical layout.

Build, setup, and finish

Several owners praise the fretwork and describe the neck as comfortable, with one calling it the instrument's standout feature. One buyer found the guitar ready to play after tuning, with the neck and intonation needing no adjustment. Another reported that the frets were exceptionally well finished for the price. These accounts point to strong value when an individual example arrives in good condition, but they do not guarantee identical setup from one guitar to the next.

There are also reports of inconsistent details. One owner found that the neck did not appear to sit optimally in the neck pocket, with a visible gap toward the bridge. After loosening and retightening the neck screws, that player noticed a change in the guitar's acoustic response, though they could not confirm the cause. Another buyer returned an example because its tuning machines were unusually stiff. These are meaningful inspection points, especially for an instrument at this price.

The light-aged treatment divides opinion. Some buyers like the overall look and say the hardware treatment is more convincing than the wear on the body. Others describe the finish aging at the edges as conspicuous or artificial, and the tinted maple as overly dark or uneven in character. The finish is matt polyurethane, not nitrocellulose lacquer. Buyers expecting a nitro finish based on outside claims should take note: the supplied specifications identify polyurethane.

Pickups and playing character

The bridge position uses an Isola VT-TE-B Alnico 5 single coil, while the neck position has an Isola VT-TE-CR-N Alnico 5 single coil. A single volume control, a single tone control, and a three-way switch keep the controls straightforward. Owners commonly report a recognizable Tele-style attack and twang. The bridge pickup earns especially positive comments, with one player describing clear, bell-like clean tones and a more forceful response with distortion.

Its treble balance may be less sharp than some players expect from this style of guitar. One owner found the bridge pickup useful with overdrive, while another characterized the neck pickup as darker and less lively. Pickup-height adjustment reportedly helped clarify the neck sound and balance its output against the bridge pickup. That can improve the result, but it will not change the pickup's basic tonal character. Players who want a bright, glassy neck sound may prefer to audition the guitar before deciding.

Hardware and value

The TB01 bridge has brass saddles, and the guitar uses Kluson-style tuning machines with chrome hardware. It ships with coated.010,.046 strings. The specification lists no tremolo, case, or gig bag. One buyer praised the bridge's appearance and reported good playability and intonation, while another's experience with stiff tuners shows why checking the hardware on arrival is sensible.

At its listed $235 price, the TE-62LA MN LPB makes a strong case on materials and core features. The alder body, Canadian maple neck, graphite nut, and Alnico 5 pickups are substantial specifications for this range. The reports are not uniformly glowing: finish aging is a matter of taste, the neck pickup may sound subdued, and setup or hardware problems can occur. Still, players who want a fixed-bridge, two-pickup guitar with a comfortable maple neck and a capable bridge sound may find a lot to like. Check the neck fit, tuner action, pickup balance, and finish in person when possible.